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Hesder ( "arrangement"; also Yeshivat Hesder ) is an Israeli yeshiva program which combines advanced studies with military service in the Israel Defense Forces, usually within a Religious Zionist framework. The program allows Orthodox Judaism men to serve in the Israeli military while still engaging in Torah study.
The Hesder program generally starts with a year of torah study as a civillian before joining the Army on paper, but immediately going on unpaid leave, and going back to the Yeshiva. After 6-12 months, (the following March or August) depending on the Yeshiva's program, Hesder students join the army proper for 16 months. after their active period in the army, Hesder students return to Yeshiva for a further mandatory 16 months (16+16 months = 32 months, the mandatory minimum period in the Israeli army for conscripts) where they are on unpaid leave.
The typical Yeshivat Hesder functions along the lines of a traditional Orthodox Judaism yeshiva, with an emphasis on in-depth study of the Talmud. However, the curriculum of a Hesder yeshiva often additionally includes an increased focus on Tanakh and Jewish philosophy. In addition, most Yeshivot Hesder encourage their students to spend time helping the needy in surrounding communities.
Many of the Yeshivot Hesder also support a Kollel, and offer a Semicha (" ordination") program, usually in preparation for the "Semicha of the Rabbanut"; many Hesder graduates would also obtain semicha from the late Rabbi Zalman Nechemia Goldberg. Since 1990, various hesder yeshivot have established, or are associated with, teachers' institutes. Graduates of these yeshivot are thus often active in the educational system of the national-religious, both as and as .
A number have programs for students from the Jewish Diaspora ("overseas programs") lasting one or two years; these vary in size from about ten people to over a hundred and fifty. The most prominent of these programs are those of Yeshivat Kerem B'Yavneh, Yeshivat Hakotel, Yeshivat Sha'alvim, and Yeshivat Har Etzion.
As an alternative to Hesder, some male high school students opt to study at a one-year mechina, and then proceed to a regular period of military service.
Students at Mercaz HaRav, and some Hardal yeshivot, such as Har Hamor, undertake their Service through a modified framework called "Hesder Mercaz"; where students study Torah for around five years before serving actively for seven months, usually serving in the artillery. Yeshivat Ma'ale Gilboa through a framework called shiluv, integrates two years of Torah study with the full three years military service.
The first yeshivat hesder, Kerem B'Yavneh, was established in 1953 modelled on Nahal, a unit combining time on a (frontier) agricultural settlement with army service.
In 1991, the hesder yeshiva program was awarded the Israel Prize for its special contribution to society and the State of Israel.
A new Knesset law on Haredi yeshiva student exemptions addresses the legal status of Hesder service and yeshivot.
In 2011, there were 68 hesder yeshivas in Israel, with a total of over 8,500 students.
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